Most of the casualties were centered in the southeastern towns of Cizre and Silopi, both under 24-hour curfew, with 98 rebels killed, according to Anadolu Agency. Other casualties occurred in the provinces of Mardin and Diyarbakir.

The government says militants linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, have placed explosive devices, dug trenches and set up barricades in these areas. Turkey has vowed to press ahead with the operations until the region is clear of rebels.

On Monday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the operations would continue and vowed that the "terrorist organization" along with its supporters "will be buried in the trenches they have dug."